Lesson 402 – Being Transgender

What is the difference between trans-man, trans-woman, and cis-gender?

Transgender: When the way a person identifies his or her gender is different than his or her physical sex.

A trans-man is a person with an assigned female physical sex that identifies as a man. Also sometimes referred to as Female to Male (FtM).

A trans-woman is a person with an assigned male physical sex that identifies as a woman. Also sometimes referred to as Male to Female (MtF).

A cisgender person is someone who identifies with their assigned physical sex.

A person’s gender identity may not be visible to others but is due acceptance and respect. Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) is a private matter, unless you are wanting to be in a relationship.

Non-surgical Options for Transgender People
Options to help transgender people be seen by others as they identify internally.

Trans-woman may use:

Breast forms

Tucking

Electrolysis

Vocal coaching

Trans-men may use:

Binding

Packing

STP (Stand to pee device)

Vocal coaching

Medical Interventions
The main medical intervention for trans people is hormone therapy.

Early hormone therapy is important in order to help transgender persons blend in with their peers. Hormones for trans-women include estrogen, progesterone and androgen blockers. Early intervention makes it possible to avoid developing unwanted masculine features. It is easier to feminize the body.

Hormone therapy for trans-men is simply a shot of testosterone every week or ten days. The effects of testosterone:

Oily skin and acne (first two years)

Facial and body hair growth

Scalp hair loss

Increased muscle mass and strength

Body fat redistribution

Cessation of menses

Clitoral enlargement

Vaginal atrophy

Deepened voice

Continuation of Hormone Therapy for Trans-women and Surgical Options

Feminizing hormones for trans women include estrogen, progesterone and androgen blockers. The effects these will have are:

Body fat redistribution

Breast growth

Decrease in muscle mass and strength

Softening of skin, less oiliness

Decreased libido

Male sexual dysfunction

Decreased testicular volume and sperm production

Thinning and slow growth of body and facial hair

Will stop male pattern baldness but will not restore what has been lost

Surgical Options for Trans-women
Surgical procedures are an option to help trans people be accepted by their peers. Surgical options include:

Breast augmentation

Silicone injections

Vaginoplasty

Facial feminization

Surgical Options for Trans-men

Chest reconstruction (Top Surgery)

Hysterectomy

Genital surgery (Bottom surgery)

When we speak of surgeries many people are now focusing on changing their bodies in ways that help them to be seen as the gender that they identify with.